Kat Von D is getting into the dark lip trend by releasing Gunshine, a smoky gray/black with shimmer. While it's not the black gloss that i'm lusting after, I will probably give this one a whirl. (via Jenny Muller)

I never thought I'd browse for clothes at HSN.com, but I've often skimmed their beauty offerings. However, I heard that Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field was releasing her own line exclusively for HSN, and wanted to go check it out. I'm far more apt to purchase a stylists line than a celebrity one, since I think stylists have a much better handle on silhouettes, trends, and overall looks. The line is very 80's-heavy, and might not work for anyone over a size 6, but there are still some pieces worth checking out.

Everyone has been going on about Patrick Robinson's recent save of Gap, but I wasn't blown away, I did find a few fantastic basics which is what I've always gone to Gap for. So in that regard, I wasn't disappointed.

Mark your calendars, NYC girls: the Ted Gibson salon is hosting a "cut-a-thon" on Sunday, September 21 from 10 AM to 5 PM to benefit Carbon Zero, in an effort to reduce the salon's carbon footprint. 100% of the money raised for the event will be donated to Carbon Zero to plant trees. Ted Gibson salon has raised about $10,000 since beginning the event two years ago.

Here are the details:

Hairdressers from NYC’s ted gibson salon will be volunteering their time for $50 cuts, normally $95. No appointments necessary, unless you’d like to book a $300 cut with Ted Gibson – his haircuts usually cost $950! Looking for color? Single process and partials highlights only: $75-$100, normally $100-$400.

The salon is located at 184 Fifth Avenue, on the second floor. Call (212) 633.6333 to book your appointment.

One of these 14 crowd pleasers from Revlon, Prescriptives, MAC and more could give your skin a flawless finish -- sans airbrush experts

We've heard complaints about foundation ranging from too heavy and drying to too light and oily, not to mention "too few shades" and "too expensive." So we made a list of the foundations that garnered praise from TotalBeauty.com members. Check out which brands and formulas got the most consumer stamps of approval and consider whether you should switch to something new.

Isn't it pretty? Head over to ReNuCares.com and enter to win one of these gorgeous contact lens cases. The giveaway is benefitting the Susan G. Komen Foundation and will be going on all through October, which is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. This contact lens giveaway supplements the two-year partnership that Bausch & Lomb has established with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Bausch and Lomb has committed to raise up to $400,000 for the organization.

By downloading one of the coupons from ReNuCares. com and redeeming it, you will be automatically entered to win one of the Crystallized Swarovski Elements limited edition contact lens cases. No purchase is necessary to be entered to win. Moreover, Bausch & Lomb will donate $1 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for every coupon that is redeemed at a local mass retailer.

The case is gorgeous, too. It's created with 646 hand applied crystal components and features the hallmark Susan G. Komen for the Cure ribbon and it has a retail value of approximately $350.

Britney Spears stole the night but Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and others held their own at the show

Why do we love the MTV Video Music Awards? Because unlike the Oscars, where stars tend to play it safe, anything goes at the VMAs. Celebrities show up in some of the most sexy, glamorous and just plain bizarre looks. Check out our standout picks from the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

I think Too Faced makes some fantastic cosmetics. They are consistently easy to use, reasonably priced, and always do exactly what they say they are going to do. Their Magic Wand Illuminating Foundation in New York Light is a daily use for me.

What if you were the first to experience the luxury of an ageless face?

Mrs. Estée Lauder believed that every woman should put her best face forward. She had that in mind in 1958 when she introduced Re-Nutriv Creme. Now in 2008, the company has reached a breakthrough with its new Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Eye Creme, containing a Youth Molecule, derived from the anti-oxidant Resveratrol. In vitro testing has shown that the Youth Molecule more than doubles the survival rate of skin cells.

This revolutionary, soon to be launched product will preview on ideeli, the first invitation-only online shopping community. We are thrilled to celebrate Estée Lauder’s rich history and latest breakthrough by offering five lucky winners a giveaway duo which includes: the Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme duo (value of $350 combined) with an exclusive online event this week.

And for my fabulous readers, I have a special invitation code from ideeli just for you! Head on over to ideeli and use the invitation code renutriv, enter to win and pick up your own jar of Re-Nutriv Eye Cream.

Hello my pretties! No worries, I haven't run off and left the blog to die a slow death: it was my birthday on the 11th, and I have been super busy ever since then!

To celebrate my birthday (and get some new stuff) I went to the MAC counter to get my face done. I mentioned that I really liked the Cult of Cherry collection, and even had a few of the lipsticks, but that the quads kind of scared me. Especially the one with the lime/chartreuse green. So of course my SA decided to show me the light and ended up giving me an amazing eye that I didn't photograph, to my dismay, leaving me to give you the substandard one to the left. So sorry. Anyway, I loved it and ended up buying the quad, of course. Plus I got to play with some of the new things that are launching on Thursday. Let me just tell you - the new eyeliners that are coming out are FAB. You will love them.

And finally, I leave you with a photo of my other two recent purchases: my Maxx New York bag and my black stiletto heels. Apparently I had the naughty secretary look going on Saturday night while I drank shots that looked like Kool-Aid to celebrate getting one year older.

And now I must go put my credit cards down before I end up in debtors' prison.

TotalBeauty.com members say you can't live without these makeup and hairstyle wonders from MAC, Clinique, Paul Mitchell and more

Instead of showcasing the latest innovations or celebrity favorites, we're paying homage to the products TotalBeauty.com members consider staples in their makeup bags and bathroom cabinets. See which goods earned enough glowing beauty product reviews to rise to "can't-live-without-it" status. They may just be the answers to your beauty prayers.

Total Beauty

About Me

Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is the founder of online lifestyle websites RetrodivasBeauty.com and RetrodivasCloset.com. She is also known as @retrodiva on Twitter. She specializes in drinking large amounts of espresso, shopping, and enjoying social media. In all of her free time she writes for StyleBakeryMom.com twice a week, and does various other freelance gigs involving writing, designing, and generally being awesome. While she believes that success is indeed a job in New York, she currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, two children, and two cats and has hung on to her day job.